Bobcat Nutrition, a new local business, opened on Court Street. It serves up a number of different protein shakes, smoothies and energizing teas for customers.
Located at 5 N. Court St., patrons can modify their beverage and add boosters, flavors or supplements.
The business is open Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some of the popular drinks offered include protein shakes and tea bombs which are priced around $8 depending on size and what customers add in.
The newly founded wellness-centered business stands out because it offers weekly and monthly specials depending on the season. This fall season it has had a rotating menu of pumpkin pie, apple and “Hocus Pocus” themed drinks.
The business is a popular spot for students, whether it’s getting a caffeine boost before class or grabbing a protein shake after exercising at Ping Recreation Center.
Katelyn Knodell, a junior studying nursing, enjoys how many options there are to choose from.
“I like that it's really customizable because I go with my roommate and she gets the combos,” Knodell said. “So she gets the teas ... and she'll get an energizing drink, and then a shake.”
According to Knodell, the business offers a drink for any mood and caters to a crowd with diverse preferences.
“No matter what I'm in the mood for, I can find something, whether it’s fruity or chocolate, they have something I can at least try and be like, ‘okay, yeah, that's good,’” Knodell said. "You can customize the shakes a lot and add whatever type of protein you like, which is something I really like about it.”
Despite many other drink shops around the area that sell coffee, smoothies and teas, what sets Bobcat Nutrition apart is the variety of drinks and flavorings.
“They really do have so many different things that you can try and like,” Knodell said. “If you're not a shake person, they have other drinks. They have weekly specials, daily specials, even seasonal specials. And no matter what, I can try something new every time that I go in.”
Knodell feels despite the business being on Court Street, it doesn’t seem to be super well known to locals outside of the student population.
“Unless people really know about it, it's kind of harder to find,” Knodell said. "So I think it gets spread by college students and that is what really spreads their business. I think a lot of the locals don't really know about it because it's kind of hidden.”
Cadee Bowen, a junior studying women, gender and sexuality studies, said her favorite aspect of the business is the staff’s interactions with customers.
“I follow them on their (Instagram) and they look like they're pretty friendly with their customers,” Bowen said. “Sometimes they'll post pictures of their customers holding their drinks and smiling.”
Along with its kind service quality, she really enjoyed her drink.
“I went there just before Halloween, and I tried one of their ‘Halloween T bombs’; I think it was called Casper,” Bowen said.
Bowen also figured much of their business is from students rather than locals.
“I'd like to think (their business is mostly from) college students just because they need that caffeine,” she said.
Gage Allen, a sophomore studying psychology, also likes to get his protein from their shakes after hitting the gym.
“I've tried the protein shakes and the boosters,” Allen said.
Although coffee shops offer caffeinated beverages, Bobcat Nutrition offers energizing refreshers, teas and shakes without espresso. This is often a better option for those wanting an energetic drink without the espresso.
“I like that (Bobcat Nutrition is) different from other places, because (other) places focus on coffee, while this one focuses on energizing (drinks),” Allen added.
